Day: January 25, 2021

Three Tips to Keep in Mind When Considering Filing for Bankruptcy Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

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The COVID-19 pandemic has hardly hit people in West Virginia and throughout the country. Since April of last year, millions of people filed unemployment claims. As the coronavirus is still in full effect in communities and businesses starting to reopen or still closed, a lot of Americans are expected to file bankruptcy claims. If this global crisis has left you experiencing serious financial difficulties and you are considering filing for bankruptcy, you must seek advice from a reputable bankruptcy lawyer in Charleston, West Virginia. Your attorney will guide you through the filing process and help you understand your options. Here are tips to help you get started:

Explore your Options

If you have mounting debts you can no longer manage to pay back, you have some options. You can continue to make your minimum payments, negotiate a settlement with the debt collectors, or file for bankruptcy. Usually, it is logical to explore your options first before considering filing for bankruptcy. 

Ask About Assistance Programs from Your Lender

Because of the current pandemic, a lot of regulators, lawmakers, and financial institutions are rolling out several assistance programs you can take advantage of. In fact, some major lenders have developed hardship programs to allow their borrowers to defer some payments, including credit card debt, student loan debt, and car loans. If the pandemic has left you in financial turmoil, contact your lender and ask about any assistance programs they are likely offering. 

Understand your Filing Options

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy are the most common kinds of bankruptcy filed. If you choose a Chapter 7 filing, you will need to sell some of your assets to pay off your debt. Your outstanding debt will be wiped clean when the bankruptcy is approved. Meanwhile, if you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, a repayment plan will be made to let you pay off all of your debt within three to five years. This type of bankruptcy is a typical option for people who are behind on their mortgage payments and are in fear of foreclosures. With this option, these people won’t lose their homes in the process. 

No matter which bankruptcy you want to file for, you need to appear in court to get the various aspects of your case approved by a judge. While the majority of federal courts shuttered during the start of the pandemic, a lot are open now. But, as courthouses are still close to the public, a lot of court hearings are being held online.

Key Requirements For Importing Into The US

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Import and export are some of the leading businesses in the world. Not only are these businesses eminent, but they are extremely important for the governments as well. Due to this reason, there are several requirements and reasonable restrictions for importing and exporting goods from one place to the other, and unless these requirements are fulfilled by the exporters and importers, goods cannot cross the borders of any country. So here in this article, we shall take a look at the requirements for importing into the United States.  

  • Preparation of documents

Before importing into the US, one needs to have all the documents ready. The important ones are: 

  1. Customs/commercial invoice
  2. Bill of lading
  3. OGD documents
  4. Commodity specific requirements

So, before you try and import your goods into the United States, you need to ensure the availability of the documents mentioned above.

  • Meeting the commodity specific and OGD requirements

The commodity specific and OGD requirements depend on the government departments such as health standards and so on. So many items cannot be imported without certain permits and licenses. Further, anything imported into the US should be marked properly with the country of origin. So one has to be very particular about these things. 

  • Import duties

These are the rates paid to the CBP. These rates depend on the type of commodities imported into the United States. The customs broker is authorized to pay the import duties on your behalf and invoice you. Having a customs broker is significant in the process as it may involve several complexities and other taxes, which can be sorted easily when a broker is a mediator. 

  • Determining the HTS

The number used to classify a product or commodity is referred to as the harmonized tariff schedule or number. Products that enter the US are classified in accordance with the harmonized tariff schedule, where the goods are placed in the product category for classification. Classification of products can be a tricky business as it requires thorough product research and you are responsible for the correct classification of the products. Thus, one must always remember this specific requirement to import goods into the US as incorrect classification can lead to heavy penalties.

Since the US is known for its import and export potential, one must always be prepared with all the requirements of the government departments to avoid penalties and with Clearit customs consulting, this is sure to get easier.

Calling a pest control service in Austin: Factors that matter!

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By the time you find the first signs of pest infestation, the ground situation may be far worse. Pests, rodents, insects, and critters are most active at night, but you may find a few tell-a-tale signs, such as urine marks, droppings, scratches on the drywall, and wooden damage. If you suspect a pest problem, do not delay in calling an exterminator. There are some amazing Austin pest control companies that can offer comprehensive services at the right price. Before you select, here is a quick list of factors that matter. 

Insurance, licenses, and permissions

Pest control requires using specific tools, chemicals, pesticides, equipment, and other products, and the safety & health of your family should be your primary concern. Make sure that the exterminator is licensed and has all the necessary local permissions to work in Austin. Also, if they are a member of known pest control organizations, that also says a lot about their expertise. Insurance is equally important, and you need an exterminator with both general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. 

Reviews

Does the pest control company have good reviews? You can check Google and Facebook to find what other customers and homeowners in Austin have to say about them. You can also ask the exterminator to share a few references, and do look for testimonials on their website. 

Trained team

Workers, pest control experts working for an exterminator need to be trained and bonded for the job. They must also have workers’ compensation insurance like we mentioned so that any mishap while working at your home doesn’t become your implied liability. Also, professional companies often hire entomologists on their team, to offer comprehensive preventive solutions. 

Response and estimate

Most pest control companies have their own approach to the job, but they should always respond at the earliest. Typically, the exterminator will end in a team of experts to check the actual extent of pest infestation, which then is used to offer an estimate. Expect the estimate to fair, transparent, and with no room for hidden charges, instead of looking for the cheapest price. 

Final word

If you have a pest problem, do not wait for it to get worse. It is even more stupid to assume that these rodents, insects, or roaches will go away on their own. Just hire a company that knows the relevance of pest control and can do the job while ensuring the safety of your family.